“It’s only good-night, Kit, but good-bye is its foundation. You will awake, my dear, quite well and strong, for the nightmare is over. Good-night, Kit, and with all my heart I pray God bless you. When you get home to think, remind yourself that you spared poor Anne all that you could, and be thankful that you are her comfort, and not the least, wee pain to her, as a tiny lack in you would be. Good-night, Kit! Dearest, good-night, Sir Christopher!”
Anne forced her drawn lips to smile as she paused for a moment at Richard’s garden gate.
Kit looked down on her without an attempt to smile back at her. They did not touch each other’s hands.
“Oh, Lord!” he groaned, and turned away.
Anne stood for an instant, her hand on the top of the gate. Then with a long, fluttering breath she groped for the latch, lifted it and entered the garden.
Before her on the bench, one arm thrown across its back, his head erect, pale, but quietly smiling toward her as his quick ear heard the click of the latch, sat Richard Latham waiting for her.
CHAPTER XX
Richard
ANNE halted, frightened by Richard’s face.
“Well, dear?” he said, and extended his hand.